Manitoulin families struggle as food bank use surges
MANITOULIN—For many families on Manitoulin Island, the joy of the holiday season is overshadowed by a stark reality: putting food on the table is becoming an uphill battle. Rising costs, stagnant wages, and inadequate social assistance are forcing more people than ever before to turn to food banks. Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) Food Bank is at the forefront of this crisis, witnessing an unrelenting surge in need that paints a heartbreaking picture of the community’s most vulnerable.
In the past year alone, MFR served 4,588 individuals, representing 1,635 households—a seven percent increase from last year and a staggering 46 percent rise from pre-pandemic levels in 2018-2019. Among these households, 28 percent were first-time visitors, many of them working families and seniors living on fixed incomes.
“These are people who never imagined they’d need to rely on a food bank,” shared an MFR spokesperson. “They’re mothers skipping meals so their kids can eat, seniors choosing between heat and groceries, and workers putting in full-time hours but still falling short. Hunger isn’t a distant problem—it’s here in our community.”
Behind every statistic is a story of resilience, sacrifice and heartbreak. There’s the single father who picks up a Christmas hamper with tears in his eyes, relieved to know his kids will have a holiday meal. There’s the elderly widow who carefully packs her bag of essentials, apologizing for needing “just a little extra” this month. And there’s the 10-year-old boy, shyly clutching a box of cereal, who doesn’t yet understand why his family has to be here.
These stories reflect a grim provincial reality. Feed Ontario’s ‘Hunger Report 2024: Unravelling at the Seams’ reveals that over one million Ontarians accessed food banks last year—40 percent for the first time. “This is simply the latest in a string of striking, unprecedented milestones in record food bank use,” wrote Carolyn Stewart, CEO of Feed Ontario. “Unless we change course, it will not be the last.”
The causes behind the crisis are deeply rooted in systemic failures. Decades of underinvestment in social infrastructure, stagnant social assistance rates and skyrocketing housing costs have pushed more people to the brink.
“Our province has relied on food banks to patch up the cracks for too long,” Ms. Stewart said. “But those cracks have become a flood, and food banks are being stretched beyond their limits.”
MFR’s data shows that Indigenous clients are disproportionately affected, representing 52 percent of food bank users despite comprising 40.6 percent of Manitoulin’s population. Suze Morrison of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres has linked this overrepresentation to the lasting impacts of colonization, wage discrimination and housing inequities.
On Manitoulin, the burden also falls heavily on children. Over one-third of food bank visits were made by youth under 18, with children aged 7-13 being the most represented group. “When kids are going hungry, it’s a sign that the system is failing at every level,” said the MFR spokesperson.
While demand continues to grow, food banks are struggling to meet the need. Feed Ontario reported that 40 percent of its member food banks have had to reduce the amount of food provided per visit, and many have scaled back critical wraparound services like housing assistance and employment support.
Fortunately, MFR has managed to maintain its level of service, thanks to steady community donations. But the challenges are mounting. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received,” said Vanessa Glasby, MFR’s food security program supervisor. “It’s what allows us to keep going. But the truth is, food banks were never meant to shoulder this kind of burden.”
Despite the challenges, the spirit of giving remains alive and well on Manitoulin. MFR’s annual Christmas Hamper Campaign is a beacon of hope, providing families with a holiday meal and essential supplies.
This year, the campaign aims to support between 525 and 550 households. “It’s about more than food,” said Ms. Glasby. “It’s about letting families know they’re not alone, that their community cares.”
For many recipients, the hampers are a lifeline. A single mother who received one last year described it as “a Christmas miracle.” She recalled the joy on her children’s faces when they saw a box of their favourite treats. “For the first time in months, I felt like I could breathe,” she said.
The success of the Christmas Hamper Campaign depends entirely on community support. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate Online: Visit CanadaHelps.org and search for “Manitoulin Family Resources.” Select “Christmas Food Hamper Drive” from the drop-down menu to contribute directly.
Drop Off Donations: Bring non-perishable food, toys, cash, or cheques to Freshwater Church in Mindemoya between December 9-20, weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm.
Support Volunteers: Drop off commercially-made treats for the volunteers to enjoy during their long hours of packing hampers between December 9 – 20 (weekdays only), from 9 am to 3 pm. Please note – all treats must be commercially-made. Unfortunately, we cannot accept homemade goods.
Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference.
While campaigns like the Christmas Hamper Drive provide immediate relief, both MFR and Feed Ontario stress the need for long-term solutions.
“Our goal isn’t just to feed people,” the MFR Hunger report states. “It’s to create a world where food banks aren’t necessary. But until that day comes, we’ll keep doing everything we can to support our community.”
Ms. Stewart echoed this sentiment: “We cannot continue to rely on charitable food programs to solve systemic failures. It’s time for bold, ambitious change—policies that prioritize people over profits and bring meaningful relief to those who need it most.”
As the holidays approach, the MFR Food Bank is a lifeline for hundreds of families who would otherwise go without. But it’s also a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done.
To learn more or contribute, visit MFR’s website or stop by Freshwater Church.
